Senior Bowl practices for 2026 NFL draft: Best QBs, prospects

Wednesday was the second of three days of Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Alabama, with more than 100 top prospects working out in front of coaches, scouts and personnel from all 32 NFL teams.

The Senior Bowl is an invite-only showcase of upperclassmen prospects and an important step toward forming a plan for the 2026 NFL draft. Thursday’s practices will air at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU/ESPN App, and then at 5 p.m. ET on ESPNNews. (Thursday’s practices will air again at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2.) The Senior Bowl game kicks off Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET in Mobile (NFL Network).

NFL draft analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates are on hand. What are the biggest takeaways from the first two sessions? Which quarterbacks made a move up the board, and who else stood out? We answered these questions off each practice and sized up how some of the top names in college football fared. (Reid also gave his assessment of Shrine Bowl practices late last week.)

Let’s take a look at Wednesday’s action.

Jump to:
Day 2: Takeaway | QBs | Risers | Notes
Day 1: Takeaway | QBs | Risers | Notes
Shrine Bowl observations

Wednesday’s biggest takeaway

The defensive backs were expected to be one of the strongest position groups in Mobile, and that was the case on Wednesday. The National team secondary started the day impressively, with Bud Clark (TCU) grabbing an interception in one-on-ones and following up with multiple pass breakups. Clark, who had 15 interceptions in his college career, is regarded as an early Day 3 pick by scouts.

The American DBs also made their share of big plays. A great pass breakup by cornerback Malik Muhammad (Texas) while guarding Ja’Kobi Lane (USC) was one of the better plays of the day. Sticking with Lane all the way through his route, Muhammad fought through his hands in order to make the play. Skyler Thomas (Oregon State) also ignited the American team by stretching out for an interception along the sideline on Taylen Green (Arkansas).

These plays provided a snapshot of how well each secondary played on Day 2. While there aren’t many marquee DB names, there are plenty of starters to be found in Rounds 2-4. Many of them have shined in Mobile. — Reid

Wednesday’s best quarterback performance

The expectation on Day 2 of the Senior Bowl is for quarterbacks to settle down and gain chemistry with wide receivers they’ve known for 48 hours. Cole Payton (North Dakota State) once again stood out from the competition on Wednesday after being highlighted by Jordan as the top quarterback on Tuesday. Payton doesn’t have the smoothest operation, with a looping, left-handed throwing motion, but he was the most consistently accurate quarterback of the six passers I saw.

The 6-foot-2, 229-pound Payton has solid arm talent, but what most impressed me was his ability to put the ball on his man despite not having fully developed the trust and feel with the wideouts he’s working with. Payton remains a late-round prospect on my board, but he’s trending up while standing out among a crowd of passers that were all ranked ahead of him when the week began. — Miller

Day 2 standout prospects

Durant’s first-step explosiveness has continued to show during practices. Splitting time at multiple interior spots, his upfield burst has been challenging for blockers to match. Durant made multiple plays in the backfield on Wednesday, including a disruptive tackle for loss during the team period of practice. At 6-foot-1, 290 pounds, Durant is likely a situational late-down pass rusher early in his career but has the chance to develop into more. His burst and ability to penetrate the first level have been more consistent during practice than what he showed on film during the 2025 season. I have a third-round grade on him as a defensive line rotational player. — Reid

The best player I saw during the American team practice was Fields, who made the catch of the day by tracking a moon ball from Arkansas QB Taylen Green before hauling it in over his head like Willie Mays making a play in center field. Fields has elite size at 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds, but scouts had questioned his sub-9-inch hand size in Senior Bowl measurements. There were zero drop issues on Wednesday, as Fields was dominant at the catch point. He’s trending toward the back end of Round 1 in a class that has several good receiver prospects in that range. — Miller

I was hesitant to feature two linebackers today (the other is below), but Louis was all over the field and must be mentioned. The 6-foot, 224-pound ‘backer has been talked about as a potential hybrid player by some scouts, but he looks the part of a weakside linebacker in the pros. Louis’ speed in the open field is a difference-maker, and he closes on ball carriers in a hurry. My initial grade on him was early Round 4, but he’ll need to move up my board following the Senior Bowl after a positive few days. — Miller

Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll

All-star games are a great way for small-school prospects to boost their stock. Montgomery has not only proved that he belongs, but he has been one of the best players in the first two days of practice. The Division III standout continued to make plays, including a highlight-reel catch in which he skied over San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson in the end zone. Montgomery was on the NFL radar as a late-round hopeful, but he has certainly improved his stock. In speaking to scouts on the sideline during practice, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder has generated the most buzz among all wide receivers in Mobile. — Reid

Rodriguez was one of the most productive players in college football last season, posting 127 tackles, seven forced fumbles, four interceptions and a sack while also scoring three touchdowns. The playmaking that led him to the fifth-place finish in Heisman polling showed up on Wednesday, as Rodriguez’s strength and power coming downhill as a tackler led to a forced fumble in team sessions. The 6-foot-1, 233-pounder is an easy evaluation. The thumping linebacker is a Round 3 player with the ability to impact a pro defense as a starting Mike ‘backer. — Miller

Just @Jacob_R_10 doing @Jacob_R_10 things…#TheDraftStartsInMobile pic.twitter.com/hMZsY9Hcbj

— Panini Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 28, 2026

Quick-hitters from Day 2

Miller:

• Kansas State center Sam Hecht had two solid days in a row and is catching my eye as a potential midround steal in this class. Hecht’s hand placement, power and agility have the look of a potential early starter in the NFL. He’s marked on my notes as a player to dive in deeper on following this week.

• LSU wide receiver Barion Brown lacks the size that NFL teams want (5-foot-11, 176 pounds) but he can absolutely fly in the open field. Brown had only one touchdown reception for the Tigers last season but he’s electric as a return man, with six career kicks returned for scores. With the Senior Bowl moving to a dynamic kickoff rule this year, Brown will have opportunities to shine on Saturday.

Reid:

• Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher caught my eye on multiple occasions during the team period of practice. He was able to stop multiple runs behind the line of scrimmage by aggressively attacking downhill. He came into Mobile known for his instincts and run-stopping ability, which have remained consistent through two practices. Boettcher is viewed as a midround pick, but he stood out in a deep linebacker group.

• Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun had a productive second day in which he recorded multiple pass breakups. His best portion of practice came during one-on-ones, and he remained disciplined in coverage on Wednesday. Igbinosun is known for his grabby nature, but he limited that tendency and showed his potential in man-to-man as well as zone. Considering his size (6-foot-2, 192 pounds) and movement skills, it would be a surprise if he’s not selected inside of the top 75 picks.

• After an inconsistent first day, Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks put it all together on Wednesday. With injuries limiting him to two games last season, Banks was circled as a prospect with plenty to gain in Mobile. He looked like the prospect many were excited about coming into the season, flashing his power in the run game and disruption as a pass rusher. Banks carries a mixture of second- and third-round grades from scouts that I have talked to here.

Tuesday’s biggest takeaway

The defensive line class stood out on Day 1. With many of the perceived top players at the position not participating in the Senior Bowl — only two players (Zion Young, Lee Hunter) in my overall my top 32 are here — there’s an opportunity for risers to increase their draft stock, as there are fewer elite prospects to distract scouts. That’s the case for this deep group of defensive linemen.

On Tuesday, Young, Hunter, Caleb Banks (Florida) and T.J. Parker (Clemson) all looked like top-40 players in a class with average talent. But the 2026 class is lacking overall, which could put those four closer to the overall top 25 given their standout play in the first practice session. Hunter was the best player I saw on the field throughout two practices (more on that later), but Parker and Young both won consistently with power and length while using speed to close on the ball in team sessions. And Banks, who is returning from a season-ending foot injury, was as impactful as expected. You’re going to hear a lot about this defensive line class in the next three months. Tuesday was a great introduction. — Miller

Tuesday’s best quarterback performance

Tuesday’s top performance belonged to Cole Payton (North Dakota State). The lefty passer had two of the most impressive throws of the day, the best coming off a bootleg on a deep ball to Caleb Douglas (Texas Tech). Having played in under-center at North Dakota State, Payton looked comfortable taking snaps and making throws from multiple pre-snap platforms. Even though he has a bit of an elongated and loopy throwing motion, it didn’t have a negative effect on his timing.

Payton displayed his accuracy and mobility in multiple sessions. Payton suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand during the Bison’s loss in the FCS playoffs. He showed no signs of that injury. Payton carries grades as early as Round 4, as he’s a big athlete that some teams have mentioned as a project worth selecting on Day 3. — Reid

Day 1 standout prospects

All eyes were on Hood, my top-ranked player at the Senior Bowl, and he stepped up Tuesday. He showed patience and confidence in one-on-one settings, turning and running with opposing receivers with ease while not being beaten once. The 5-foot-11, 188-pound junior was my No. 18-ranked player entering the week and solidified his status as the best player in Mobile throughout position drills and team settings. The Buccaneers, Jets and Lions all look like strong landing spots for him in the middle of Round 1. — Miller

I’m always looking for that “wow” first impression at all-star games and Hunter delivered it during team drills Tuesday. Lining up as a 1-technique, Hunter absolutely demolished an interior offensive lineman with his first-step power, rocking back the blocker’s shoulders and easily gaining ground. That backs up what we saw on tape during Texas Tech’s run to the CFP this season. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Hunter currently ranks No. 29 on my board and boosted his stock even more on Tuesday. — Miller

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

Given that he played at a small school, this week provides a unique opportunity for Hurst. The lengthy wideout (6-foot-3, 207 pounds) made one of the better highlights of the day with a one-handed sideline grab. Hurst’s fluidity, especially given his size, has scouts intrigued. He’s a strong run-after-catch player, too. With a strong predraft showing, Hurst could move up into the third round from his current spot, which I view as early on Day 3. — Yates

Viewed as one of the nation’s top defenders entering the season, Parker didn’t have the season many envisioned, with his sack total falling from 11 in 2024 to five last season. Parker took a positive step toward reviving his draft prospects on the first day of practice Tuesday, as the 6-foot-3, 265-pounder displayed lots of power in his hands. That strength was present throughout multiple periods of practice. Scouts view Parker as a top-40 prospect who could sneak into the back end of Round 1. — Reid

After playing guard exclusively during his career at Georgia Tech, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound Rutledge took snaps at center throughout practice Tuesday. Rutledge showed comfort with snapping the ball and demonstrated that he can play any spot along the interior, answering one of the biggest questions scouts had about him entering the Senior Bowl. — Reid

Quick-hitters from Day 1

Miller:

• Offensive linemen usually start Senior Bowl week slowly while defensive linemen explode onto the scene with speed and power. It’s best to allow offensive linemen to settle in, and that’s what happened with Beau Stephens (Iowa). The guard prospect had a rough rep against Hunter early before settling down and winning with leverage and power against Zane Durant (Penn State) and others in one-on-ones. Stephens is a Day 3 prospect but showed impressive poise Tuesday.

• Speaking of Durant, I must single him out for his Day 1 performance. The 6-foot-1, 290-pound defensive tackle won consistently at 3-technique with quickness and leverage throughout the practice against a good group of interior linemen. Durant currently sits as an early Day 3 player on my board but looked more like a top-100 prospect in his initial practice.

Reid:

• Edge rusher Nadame Tucker (Western Michigan) caught my eye multiple times Tuesday. Opportunities like this are important for small-school prospects because they present major tests against high-level competition. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Tucker entered the week as one of the event’s lesser-known names but opened many eyes during the first day of practice. He could interest teams looking for a midround pass rusher.

• Wide receiver Malachi Fields (Notre Dame) was the best offensive player on the American team on Day 1. Officially measuring 6-foot-4, 218 pounds, Fields used his frame well. He was challenged multiple times at the line of scrimmage during one-on-ones against the corners. His physicality showed up, and he was able to fight through jam attempts prior to making strong catches. Fields carries a mixture of mid-to-late Day 2 grades as a prospect who continues to trend upward.

• Wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (Missouri) quietly had a strong first day. A well-traveled prospect, he started his career at Jackson State (2022) before transferring to Louisville (2023) and Mississippi State (2024) before landing at Missouri. Coleman is a smooth route runner who spent time on the outside and in the slot during practice. He also looked comfortable fielding punts on a chilly and windy day. In speaking to scouts, Coleman is primarily viewed as an early-to-mid Day 3 prospect, which is where I also have him currently.

Yates:

• Edge rusher Zion Young (Missouri) brought ferocious energy to the one-on-ones, as he showed the power that made him a great college player. Young wins with knock-back power and length as a rusher, which he used to land an offensive tackle on his back in a one-on-one rep. I think Young will go early in Round 2.

• Gennings Dunker is the next in a long line of talented Iowa offensive linemen, and I liked what I saw from him in pass protection Tuesday. Dunker showed good lateral agility and the length to ward off edge rushers, plus a toughness and finish on his reps (as well as an off-the-charts mullet). He’s another Day 2 prospect for me.

Shrine Bowl observations

I spent three days at the Shrine Bowl last week and the talent didn’t disappoint. Cornerback Avery Smith (Toledo) was the week’s biggest winner. He had no problem with the bump in competition, showing that he was capable of playing press man and in zone coverage. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Smith was the prospect scouts were buzzing about the most and might have played his way into the top 100.

Offensive lineman Brian Parker II (Duke) also stood out. After spending last season at left tackle, the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Parker played center at Shrine Bowl practices, showing strong hands and a balanced base. He was viewed as a Day 3 prospect entering the event but boosted his stock and could go as early as Round 3.

On the quarterback front, Cade Klubnik (Clemson) recovered from a subpar Day 1 and had a strong final two days of practice. A streaky thrower, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Klubnik had multiple excellent throws during the team portions of practice. He showed plenty of emotion after each impressive throw and certainly helped his standing. Opinions remained mixed on where Klubnik will go. Some scouts had third-round grades on him, but there were others who saw him as a mid-Day 3 passer. — Reid